Today’s third Test in Cape Town has the makings of a classic – a deadlocked series, evenly-matched teams, the two best bowling attacks in the format, one of the world’s best cricket grounds, and a whole lot of controversy.
As much as the hoopla about player behaviour has distracted from what has been a fantastic series so far, it has also added spice and fascination to this match at Newlands.
With the world’s number one Test bowler, Kagiso Rabada, free to play having had his two-match ban overturned, we will get to saviour his beguiling battles with Steve Smith and David Warner, Australia’s two best batsmen and the men to whom he handed send-offs in the second Test.
Rabada against Warner will be particularly engrossing, given the way in which the quick worked over the Australian in the second innings at Port Elizabeth.
Warner has a good record against Rabada, who has dismissed him only twice in five Tests. But Rabada has begun to hone in on the Australian’s weakness, cramping him for room with straight, short-of-a-length deliveries.
Combined with Rabada’s express pace and steepling bounce, these deliveries have repeatedly troubled Warner in this series, denying him the ability to free his arms and pierce the offside field.
Kagiso Rabada (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Meanwhile, Smith has finally had a flaw fully exposed, falling three times in four innings this series to left-arm orthodox spin.
The captain on each occasion got into trouble by seemingly misreading the length of those spin deliveries. It will be absorbing to watch how he decides to counter the threat of the Proteas’ fine tweaker Keshav Maharaj.
Yet it is Smith’s head-to-head with Rabada which is most alluring. The number one batsman versus the number one bowler. While Rabada hasn’t yet found a chink in the skipper’s technique, his sheer quality will test the Australian in a way no other quick on the planet can quite replicate.
At Port Elizabeth, Rabada performed at a level few bowlers ever reach. He started this series as arguably the best paceman in the world but, if he maintains that standard over the next two Tests, he will lead South Africa to a series victory and quash any dispute as to who is the format’s supreme bowler.
Adding to the spectacle of the third Test is the fact that it will be played at Newlands, which is not only a gorgeous ground but also consistently produces wonderful pitches. The deck has historically erred in favour of the bowlers, which is a great thing in an era blighted by a surplus of dead surfaces, particularly in Australia.
In the same way Rabada is comfortably the biggest concern for the Australian batsmen, AB de Villiers looms large over the visitors’ attack.
AB de Villiers (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
It was extraordinary the ease with which the champion batsman handled such an awesome attack in the first two Tests. No one has looked that consistently supreme against Australia since Kane Williamson during New Zealand’s three-Test tour in late 2015.
How the visitors can trouble De Villiers is anyone’s guess. They may be left to pursue their basic strategy from the first two Tests – dismiss the rest of the team.
If the pitch is moist and the outfield lush, as they often are at Newlands, then reverse swing will be much harder to come by than in the first two Tests.
This will place extra pressure on Australia’s quicks, who so far have done a fine job with the old ball but have at times wasted the shiny version. Aside from Pat Cummins, who was solid, all were below their best at Port Elizabeth.
Mitchell Starc seemed to be lacking rhythm and was down on pace. Josh Hazlewood bowled well in patches but was missing the consistency which has made him a superb Test bowler. Spinner Nathan Lyon too often was flat in the trajectory of his deliveries, reducing his trademark dip, drift and bounce.
The biggest positive on the bowling front was the confident and skilful display by all-rounder Mitch Marsh. But his bowling workload may be limited at Cape Town due to a groin strain he suffered in the second Test.
Marsh’s biggest role, however, will be with the blade. Surprisingly, given his struggles against quality pace earlier in his career, Marsh has played Rabada as comfortably as any of the Aussies.
Yet again the conversation circles back to Rabada. He has been the focal point all week and, for mostly different reasons, will continue to be over the next five days.
DavSA
Guest
A good summation Ronan . But is the needle that has plagued this series so far over ? I first watched SA vs Aus contests in 1970 and have followed every single series since including limited overs games as well as those of the Rebel teams and have never seen such acrimony between players , teams and supporters of these 2 sides.. Sure there have been incidents in the past but they were quickly isolated by the teams and it stayed on the field . I gave it some thought as to what is different this time . Is it because of DRS that umpires no longer have the same on field aura as in the past , I don't know. Is it the points demerit system leading teams to provoke other players into accumulating points . I don't know. Is it because the new breed of SA players coming from backgrounds where the previous special relationship with Australia counts for nothing . For a young African player coming from the cricket programmes in Tembisa township the names of Bradman , The Gabba , Thomson and Lillee , even our own Graeme Pollock have no meaning . So the respect for opponents built up over many generations in an era where they could not play cricket is just not there. Again I don't know. Is it the advent of social media where a simple comment can easily offend whether in context or not. Don,t know. For those in cricket management who think some controversy is good for public interest they are wrong . Port Elizabeth has never been so empty for a test match . Capetown will be well supported controversy or not. What I do know is that these sordid events have completely overshadowed some very entertaining cricket . Going down to my local all the boys want to talk about is the negative stuff. This test match not only has the makings of a classic as you suggest but takes on added importance . There is plenty of rain about in Johannesburg with predictions of more to come. It is belting down as I post this . This may possibly be the final game and series decider . It is a must win for both of these excellent cricket teams.
Simoc
Guest
Hopefully this match will be a cracker. Great cricket in the first two but the headlines went elsewhere. It'de be good if our batters could put a score together.
George
Guest
It is pathetic. But England is not Robinson Crusoe with regards to overseas performance.
Simoc
Guest
I'de rather be 6'3 and bowling mid 160s alternatively at the SA batters lower ribcage and the middle stump.
I bowled slow left arm (social league only as I was not a talented cricketer) however I beat the bat every time, sometimes too good for an edge (even when the batsman decided to leave) sometimes a fine fine edge, and even some thick edges close to the middle of the bat, to me all of them were edges. ?
Big Daddy
Guest
This match could go either way. But if Australia go into this match and decide to target rabada it could be their downfall. Play cricket and don't worry about the niggle to me is their best option.
AREH
Roar Guru
I think in the end they were just happy to pass 26, England cricket's lowest test score. At 7-23 many thought they mightn't make it. Overton picked up 33 out of a team total 58, wow. He could've hit a few more boundaries too had it not been for Jimmy Anderson's horrid shot to end the innings.
Matt H
Roar Guru
England keep trying toe get the ball changed. Maybe they are hoping they can get the one the Kiwis used.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Williamson on his own has passed the English score. A great Cowan by Latham as well
Matt H
Roar Guru
And what a summer it was.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Story of my career right there Chris. I was terminally unlucky in virtually all matches I played! Well I can say that because there is no video.
Matt H
Roar Guru
You could be forgiven for thinking England are playing in Cape Town circa 2011. 58 all out with 33 coming from the number 9. Blimey! Williamson has nearly passed their score on his own. Well done to the Kiwis.
peter chrisp
Guest
Australia vs India way back in 2007/2008 this is now as suggested is written in the sand, & your basing the fact that our Aussie players are pretty ordinary?
ADP
Guest
Reckon the aussies are going to be up for this one. Rabada has had so much fuss made about him it may well affect his performance...which leaves our bowling attack a bit weak imo. And if AB gets out early..
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Ronan what are your thoughts on Rabada’s suspension being overturned ? Should be a cracker of a game.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Actually Australia were 9/21 on the way to 47 a few years back.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Yep. Australia had great bowling but relatively weak batting at the time.
Nick
Roar Guru
Mitchell Johnson 2013/14 Ashes managed 5 tests of awesomeness.
Nick
Roar Guru
There we go - to be fair the chart I have is Cape Town airport which is a bit of a hike from Newlands.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
That's a massive last wicket partnership. More than doubled their score!